Sentara Obici Hospital now offers a free valet service for patients.

As of Monday, HealthPark Hospitality, a valet parking service provider dedicated to serving health care facilities, was hired for the role. The company also serves at the Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton.

“Great service starts at the door,” said Michael Robertson, manager of safety and security at Obici Hospital. “It starts and ends with valet parking.”

In the past, patients would have to walk over to their vehicles after receiving treatment. This proved to be inconvenient for elderly and recovering patients.

Now, patients can wait by the covered main entrance as the valets retrieve their vehicles from the parking lot. The streamlined service helps eliminate parking issues especially in times of extreme heat, rain or snow.

“Valet parking was a small part of our last piece of connectivity and service,” said Dr. Steve Julian, president of the hospital.

The valet provider has already started to receive compliments for its services.

“A lot of people have already thanked us for what we do,” said Gregory Higgins, one of the HealthPark Hospitality valets. “It feels good to be appreciated.”

The service came right on time as the hospital prepares to add a new medical office building between the current one and the outpatient surgery center. Construction for the new center will begin next month and is projected to be complete by August 2017, according to Julian.

During the construction process, parking is expected to be limited, which could have been an issue for patients. But HealthPark assures its services will negate the inconvenience.

The valet service runs Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The hospital will continue its carting service, which takes patients directly to their vehicles.